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Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, has dissolved the existing anti-illegal mining committees in the state and approved the immediate constitution of a new task force to tackle illegal mining and environmental degradation.
The Secretary to the State Government, Gebon Kataps, disclosed this in a press statement.
According to the statement, the new task force is mandated to ensure strict compliance with government directives against illegal mining activities and the destruction of forests across the state.
The eight-member task force will be headed by Major A. M. Ghali as Commander, while Captain K. R. Odenusi will serve as the second-in-command.
Other members are ASP Ishaku Daniel, Iziogo Philip, Olakunde D., Kabiru Musa, Zibai Ayuba and Suleiman Daniel.
The state government said the task force would operate with supporting and operational personnel drawn from key security agencies.
It is also expected to work with the mobile court established under existing executive orders and submit periodic reports through the office of the SSG.
The development comes amid intensified government efforts to curb illegal mining and its environmental impact across Taraba.
Governor Kefas had earlier suspended mining activities across the state over security concerns.
Subsequent enforcement operations led to arrests and the dispersal of hundreds of illegal miners.
The new task force is expected to strengthen enforcement of the government’s directives while addressing illegal mining and activities contributing to environmental degradation across the state.
